First of all, while sparring, it is best not to think about individual techniques. If you are thinking about which technique to use next, it means you are not thinking about the fight, and whatever technique you choose to use will probably not work since it will not be in response to the actions that are occurring. It is best to just spar and go with the flow of the action; instinctively firing the proper techniques to whatever openings may appear. Class time is the time to think about using individual techniques. During class sparring, you can experiment using techniques to see if they work for you and under what conditions they work best. If you train enough in class, when you are in competition, you will instinctively fire the proper technique when it is required.

Single attacks

Single attacks are used most frequently in tournaments, but combinations and counterattacks usually score the most. Single attacks do not require commitment, so you can fire one in relative safety. Since you only fire once, and then get out and back into your guard, you have little risk of being scored upon. For example, firing one round kick with your lead leg to the opponent’s midsection requires nothing from you other than lifting the leg and kicking. Since single attacks are easily detected and blocked by an opponent, they is the least likely to score.

Multiple strikes

Multiple strikes with the same technique have a better chance of scoring than single attacks with the same technique, as long as the timing and/or location of the strikes are varied. For example, one round kick fired to the opponent’s midsection will probably be blocked. A double round kick to the midsection, when the second kick quickly follows the first, will also probably be blocked since the opponent’s block of the first kick will probably not have been retracted yet, so the second kick will be stopped the original block with no conscious effort on the part of the opponent. However, if the second kick is delayed a split second, it will probably score since the opponent’s original block will probably be in the process of retraction and unable to stop the second kick. In addition, if the second kick fires to the head, the kick will probably score since the head will probably be exposed due to the first block being the low section and unable to be reused to the high section quickly enough.

Combinations

Combination attacks using different techniques with each attack have a better chance of scoring since they use both hand and foot attacks coming from multiple directions. Each attack may be a single attack, or an attack may be a setup designed to create an opening for a follow-up attack. Combinations cannot be planned; you just initiate an attack and then let each of your subsequent attacks be in reaction to how the opponent reacts to each of your attacks. The more techniques you know and the more skilled you are in their use using both sides of your body, the better will be your combination attacks. Combination attacks use up a lot of your energy, so, if you want to be proficient in combination attacks, you must be in good physical condition.

Counterattacks

Counterattacks also have a good chance of scoring since they are fired in response to the opponent’s attacks. Counter fighters are sneaky and they are deadly. Just when you think you are winning, they take you out. Counter fighters lay back, conserve energy, wait for you to move, and then charge in with vicious attacks; not stopping until they tire, you move out of bounds, or the referee steps in.

When an opponent is attacking, he or she is usually not thinking about defending so he or she tends to expose openings. Counter attackers will jump on this opening and try to create others in the process. Effective counter attackers make opponents leery of attacking, so their attacks are tentative.

Judges tend to recall first that which they saw last. If an opponent rushes in with an attack, and you counter with  powerful counterattacks with loud kiais, even if the opponent’s attack was on target, the judges will probably only recall your more memorable counterattacks and give you the score.

Most novice fighters back up when attacked, even when they block. Better fighters move to the sides rather than backward when they are attacked. The best fighters move inside the attack and counterattack and usually do not bother to block since they are inside the attack and the attacking hand or foot is past them.

Techniques

Techniques most frequently used in tournaments (descending order)

• Round kick to body

• Back kick to body

• Axe kick to head

• Round kick to head

• Push kick to body

• Punch to body

• Hook kick to head

• Front kick to body

• Spinning heel kick to head.

Techniques that score the most in tournaments (descending order)

• Round kick to body

• Back kick to body

• Round kick to head

• Axe kick to head

• Axe kick to body

• Spinning heel kick to head.

Techniques that are the most successful in tournaments (descending order)

• Back kick to body

• Round kick to head

• Round kick to body

• Axe kick to head

• Spinning heel kick to head

• Push kick to body